Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Saka and Jesus goals
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal: Gunners close gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool after surviving a late comeback from the hosts when Taiwo Awoniyi pulled one back
Arsenal overcame a sluggish first-half performance to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points after a 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest. The Gunners looked toothless in the first half, but rallied to register three big points thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka. The result leaves them on the coattails of Liverpool, who can extend their lead back to five points against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Forest had no intention of going for the win in a pragmatic approach deployed by Nuno Espirito Santo, but they made a game of it late on as Taiwo Awoniyi slammed home in the 89th minute. Arsenal saw it out to end a three-game losing streak at the City Ground and exorcise the ghosts of last season’s defeat, which saw their title challenge come to an end.
Forest’s situation at the foot of the Premier League is looking precarious, as they sit two points above the relegation zone with the threat of a points deduction for breaking financial rules hanging over them. Follow live reaction from Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal in tonight’s live blog, below.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports:
“We’ve had the chance to recharge and we know tonight is going to be a tough one, we need to be ready.”
On Emile Smith Rowe’s first start since October: “He fully deserves it. He’s been training really good. I believe tonight is the right opportunity. Now he needs to impact the game.”
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta on Gabriel Martinelli, who starts tonight after scoring twice off the bench against Crystal Palace:
“Sharing the goals is really important but for the individual it is important. Taking some of the anxiety away from it and scoring two beautiful goals will only help his confidence.”
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
Nuno Espirito Santo’s four league games in charge of Forest have produced a total of 17 goals, an average of 4.3 per game. They have beaten Manchester United and Newcastle since Santo took over.
Arsenal, though, have scored the most goals from set-piece situations in the Premier League (13).
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta intends to bring his Arsenal project to fruition with Spanish reports that the Basque will leave for Barcelona at the end of the season strongly denied, according to Miguel Delaney.
The Catalan club are now searching for a new manager after Xavi Hernandez announced his resignation on Saturday evening after another defeat, this time 5-3 at home to Villarreal, having been ahead with seven minutes to go.
Although it is understood that Barca officials knew he would be going before the game, the process is described as only in its earliest stages.
This was despite reports that Arteta has already been targeted with negotiations advancing to the point that he told “his entourage” that he is leaving Arsenal at the end of the season, having guided the Gunners back into the title race.
This has now been flatly denied by figures within the club. Arteta feels he can make Arsenal one of world football’s greatest forces in the long term, having overseen an essential overhaul of the club since Arsene Wenger’s departure
Mikel Arteta to resist Barcelona interest and see through Arsenal project
The Spaniard has been linked with a move to the Camp Nou after Xavi Hernandez confirmed he will depart this summer
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Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta on previous defeats to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground:
“We can manage and optimise our preparation against a team who is really competitive. We’ve had some bad experiences there the last few seasons so we will have to be really good to beat them.”
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal - team news!
Emile Smith Rowe makes his first Premier League start Arsenal start since October, while Declan Rice and Gabriel are fit. Gabriel Martinelli returns to the starting line-up for the visitors after his two-goal display from the bench against Crystal Palace.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal - team news!
Arsenal team to face Nottingham Forest:
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Rice, Smith Rowe, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal - team news!
Nottingham Forest team to face Arsenal:
Turner, Montiel, Omobamidele, Murillo, Toffolo, Mangala, Danilo, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Williams, Wood
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
Team news is just moments away...
Will this man be involved? He has arrived at the City Ground...
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo on facing Arsenal:
“They are one of the best teams around, we know the quality of their players and manager. It will be tough and difficult.”
On Friday’s 0-0 draw with Bristol City and his first clean sheet:
“It was a good performance with two different parts. The first half was not so good, the second half much better. First half we did not control our pressure, we allowed too many balls inside and they created some problems for us.
“Second half we controlled the game, we dominated and did not allow chances.
“So that’s a big step for us to have a clean sheet. Something we are constantly looking for.
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